Kalanchoe plant named Goddess

ABSTRACT

A new variety of kalanchoe plant intended for greenhouse culture as a pot plant and suitable for year around flowering with photoperiod control, characterized by the intense rose pink color of its florets which range from 10 to 12 mm. in diameter, a uniform 10-week flowering response, a medium plant height and an extended blooming period due to several weeks of continuous flower bud development.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

My new variety of kalanchoe plant originated as a seedling resultingfrom my crossing Swiss Rose (unpatented) with Red Empress (unpatented)as the pollen parent, in my breeding facilities at Cartago, Costa Rica,in the course of breeding efforts carried on by me since 1969. Asexualpropagation of this plant by vegetative cuttings, done by me at Cartago,Costa Rica, and carried through successive generations, has demonstratedthat its distinctive characteristics hold true from generation togeneration and appear to be firmly fixed. Commercial scale propagationof this new plant by means of cuttings is now being done at Cortez,Fla., and at West Chicago, Ill.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

My new kalanchoe plant is illustrated by the accompanying drawing whichshows the growth and flower display characteristics of the plant, aswell as the flower color, the drawing having been made by conventionalfull-color photographic procedures and the color shown being as nearlytrue as it is reasonably possible to obtain in that manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of my new variety of kalanchoeplant with color designations according to the R.H.S. Colour Chartpublished by The Royal Horticultural Society of London, England, incollaboration with the British Colour Council.

THE PLANT

Origin: Seedling.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Swiss Rose (unpatented).

Pollen parent.--Red Empress (unpatented).

Classification:

Botanic.--Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.

Commercial.--Kalanchoe pot plant.

Form: Upright bush.

Height: 17 to 22 cm.

Growth: Sturdy and strong with medium vigor.

Branching: Normal under natural conditions.

Foliage:

Leaf size.--Medium, about 5.5 to 12 cm. long and about 3.0 to 5.5 cm.wide.

Shape.--Elliptical, with obtuse tip and dentate margins.

Texture.--Thick, fleshy and smooth.

Surface aspect.--Glossy.

Color.--Upper side -- 146A. Under side -- 146B.

venation.--Pinnate.

Petioles.--14 to 30 mm. long.

THE BUD

Shape: Generally cylindrical with a somewhat pointed tip before opening.

Size:

Diameter.--About 1.75 mm.

Length.--About 6 to 7 mm.

Opening rate: Fast, opens fully within 1 day.

Sepals: Four or five sepals surround the receptacle.

Appearance.--Upstanding and spear-shaped.

Surface texture.--Smooth.

Aspect.--Shiny.

Color.--Inside -- 144A. Outside -- 144A.

THE FLOWER

Flowering: 10-week response with photoperiod control. Can be floweredyear around.

Natural season.--November through January under Costa Ricanenvironments.

Blooms: Flower type -- regular and complete.

Borne.--On a compound cyme.

Size.--Small -- about 10 to 12 mm. in diameter and about 8 to 10 mm. indepth.

Shape.--Generally flat when bloom first opens, petals becoming reflexedas flower matures.

Petals.--Four to five per flower, separate and distinct.

Form.--Nearly oval, about 5 mm. long and about 3.5 mm. wide.

Texture.--Firm.

Appearance.--Shiny.

Color.--Upper side -- 57B with 46C at base. Under side -- 55C.

tonality of florescence at a distance of 8 feet.--52A.

discoloration.--Moderate fade after full bloom.

Peduncle: Sturdy and upright.

Surface texture.--Smooth.

Color.--146C and 199A.

Persistence: Flowers hang on and dry.

Effect of weather: None. Recommended only for greenhouse culture.

Disease resistance: This plant has been observed to resist powderymildew in environments where that disease is present.

Fragrance: Typical kalanchoe.

Lasting quality: Approximately 4 weeks.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens: Number 8 to 10.

Anthers.--Color -- Yellow.

Filaments.--Color -- Yellow-Green.

Pollen.--Color -- Yellow.

Pistils: Number four or five.

Stigmas.--Color -- initially Yellow-Green, turning to Off-White asflower ages.

Ovaries.--Number four or five, each developing multiple seeds.

My new kalanchoe plant is particularly distinguished by its veryattractive rose-pink florets which range from about 10 to 12 mm. indiameter in size and bloom continuously over an extended blooming periodbecause of continuous flower bud development. This plant can be floweredthe year around under photoperiod control and has a uniform 10-weekflowering response. It grows rapidly with a medium plant height whenflowering and has attractive, medium sized, glossy foliage.

The kalanchoe "Goddess" herein shown and described is a sister plant tothe variety "Toltec" disclosed and claimed in my co-pending applicationSer. No. 876,429, filed of even date herewith, both plants having beenbred from the same parents. The following table is intended to show thedifferences between the two plants.

    ______________________________________                                                  "Goddess"  "Toltec"                                                 ______________________________________                                        Plant:                                                                        Height:     17-22 Cm.    18-26 Cm.                                            Growth:     Strong with  Good strength;                                                   medium vigor.                                                                              medium vigor.                                        Branching:  Normal       Normal                                               Foliage:                                                                      Size of Leaf:                                                                 Length:     5.5-12 Cm.   5.5-11 Cm.                                           Width:      3-5.5 Cm.    3.5-5 Cm.                                            Shape of Leaf:                                                                            Elliptical   Ovate                                                Color:                                                                        Upper Side: 146A         147A                                                 Under Side: 146B         147B                                                 Florescence:                                                                  Response:   10-week      10-week                                              Bud Size:                                                                     Diameter:   1.75 mm.     1.75 mm.                                             Length:     6-7 mm.      9-11 mm.                                             Flower Size:                                                                  Diameter:   10-12 mm.    10-12 mm.                                            Depth:      8-10 mm.     9-11 mm.                                             Borne:      On a compound                                                                              Corymbos on a                                                    cyme.        compound cyme.                                       Color of Petals:                                                              Upper Side: 57B-46C at base.                                                                           40A and 42A; base 1A.                                Under Side: 55C          39B and 179C                                         Tonality at 8 Ft.:                                                                        52A          41A                                                  ______________________________________                                    

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct kalanchoe cultivar, substantially asherein shown and described, characterized by its upright growth ofmedium height, its substantially uniform 10-week flowering responseunder photoperiod control, and its continuous and showy production ofrose pink flowers over an extended blooming period.